For its eleventh annual IMPACT Day, Prologis UK, the country’s leading owner and developer of logistics property, got stuck into some volunteering at Church Pool Covert, part of Tame Valley Wetlands (TVWLP) and located near to Prologis’ Hams Hall site.
On 12 May, over 80 volunteers from Prologis, Whiting Landscapes and Forterra undertook a wide range of tasks to improve access and facilities in the woodland, installing two newly donated bridges, restoring pathways and fencing, building an outdoor learning space and providing new seating for the local community, using recycled and sustainable materials wherever possible. The new bridges, donated to TWWLP by Prologis UK & Forterra, were fabricated from recycled plastic. The reuse of materials helps preserve the environment and protect wildlife in the area.
The Tame Valley Wetlands is a landscape partnership led by Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and supported by members from a variety of organisations including local councils, groups, charities, and statutory bodies. It is located between Birmingham and Tamworth and covers an area of over 1,000 hectares, including a recent expansion along the River Blythe towards Hampton in Arden.
Church Pool Covert serves as an important habitat for a variety of species, including birds such as Lapwing and Willow Tit. As the largest area of inter-connected wetlands in Warwickshire, TVWLP is a vital corridor providing connectivity for a variety of wildlife, as well as support the wider area with floodwater storage to slow the flow after high rainfall events.
IMPACT Day is a global event held annually where Prologis employees give back to the local community. In previous years, the UK team have created an outdoor school classroom, revived an animal sanctuary and transformed overgrown allotments into a community garden.
During this year's projects, volunteers ensured that Tame Valley Wetlands will remain a biodiversity hotspot for many years to come and that walkers and the local community can enjoy them safely. Through these eco-friendly initiatives, the Tame Valley Wetlands remain a haven for an incredible variety of wildlife and a great educational resource for the community.
Councillor Bob Bryson, Chair of Lea Marston Parish Council said: “It was great to see businesses coming together to make a difference and this inspiring project will no doubt have a positive influence in the local area for years to come. By fostering a healthy relationship between businesses and the community, this initiative is setting a great example for others. We are excited to see more of these collaborations in the future.”
Paul Weston, Regional Head at Prologis UK said: “At Prologis, we are constantly striving to support local initiatives that benefit our communities. This project was a great example of how a collaborative effort between different organisations can help make a positive difference. We’re proud to have been part of creating sustainable, environmentally friendly infrastructure that will support the area for years to come.”
Susan Hartland-Smith, Tame Valley Wetlands Manager for Warwickshire Wildlife Trust said: “We are so proud of how successful this event was and our commitment to the local community does not end here. We are already looking for additional ways to make an even more significant impact and it is our hope that these improvements will be beneficial to the local community and encourage them to find out what wildlife is on their doorstep.”